Innovative Soil Sensor Could Optimize Fertilizer Use on UK Farms

A groundbreaking soil sensing technology, already boosting profitability and reducing fertilizer use across Europe, is undergoing extensive trials on over 20 UK farms. Developed by Estonian company Paul Tech, the soil station precisely tracks nutrient movement within the soil, empowering farmers to make data-driven fertilizer decisions for maximum Nutrient Uptake Efficiency (NUE).

The technology has proven its mettle in real-world applications. Finnish onion grower, AFC Uussaari, slashed nitrogen use by 70% while simultaneously improving yields by 5%. In Estonia, Aru PM OÜ reduced fertilizer use by 15%, saving the business an impressive €56,000 annually.

Paul-Tech CEO Mikk Plakk anticipates the UK trials will lead to the most detailed analysis of British soil health ever conducted. He explains, “Used extensively in Europe across arable and vegetable operations, this technology gives farmers unparalleled insights into how nitrogen and other nutrients interact with the soil. Our UK trials will offer British growers unprecedented information to optimize their practices.”

The system utilizes sensors buried at two depths to monitor nutrients as they move through the soil. An online dashboard displays this data in real-time, highlighting whether nutrients are rapidly leaching away or remaining available for plant uptake. Mr. Plakk emphasizes, “This data helps growers identify conditions that maximize NUE and those that accelerate nutrient leaching, allowing them to fine-tune fertilizer applications.”

Former Soil Farmer of the Year Clive Bailye, a trial participant, praises the sensor as “another tool in the box to help farmers make better decisions”. He highlights the unique timing insights, noting the sensor will show “the optimum time to apply fertilizer” or even indicate if previously applied fertilizer remains sufficient.

Brixworth Farming in Northamptonshire is also incorporating the soil sensor. Committed to sustainable practices, the business aims to understand how cover crops, catch crops, and crop rotations affect nutrient cycling. MD Ian Matts states, “We want to identify…differences in amounts and timings of nitrogen release…with and without catch crops.”